First Ambulance Service

Ohio seems to have an obsession with flashing lights, sirens, and of course, helping people. Not only did Akron become the first city to utilize the police car, but in 1865, the Commercial Hospital in Cincinnati established the first ambulance service for civilians. Previously, ambulances had only been used during war, however, the Commercial Hospital (today, the University of Cincinnati Medical Center) thought it would be a good concept to extend to the general public. The ambulances carried various medical supplies such as splints, stomach pumps, morphine, and brandy. The earliest ambulances were pulled by horses and riders made a generous salary of $360 a year.